An unprotected computer isn't just vulnerable, it's already infected by a virus. Many new malware threats are released each day and they're designed to bypass security measures and catch you off guard.

To fight these threats, you need the best antivirus software that includes the best tools and features.

There're many antiviruses we've reviewed over the years and we've been impressed by a few that have constantly shown high standards.

Two antivirus programs we've been impressed with are Kaspersky and BitDefender. They have the best features and highest virus detection and removal rates. And they incorporate "in the cloud" security and other advanced technologies to increase safety.

So, here are the 5 tips to be aware of when choosing antivirus software

1. Scope of Protection

The top antivirus software will protect you from a wide scope of malware threats like viruses, worms, Trojans, rootkits, keyloggers, spyware and a lot more.

It will also include defence from hackers and cyber criminals. And you'll need this protection because of the dramatic rise in hacker attacks, both at individuals and businesses.

BitDefender includes one of the top firewalls that blocks all these threats.

2. Effectiveness

Your antivirus software should be able to protect you from the most harmful threats. And before you make a choice, make sure it has been tested and approved by leading testers like ICSA, West Coast Labs and Virus Bulletin.

The results will show its percentage effectiveness in comparison to its competitors and whether it's a resource hog during scans and updates.

3. Ease of Installation

Most antivirus programs are easy to install, and with a few clicks of the mouse you can have yours fully installed and working.

But some antivirus programs have a lengthy installation process, with multiple steps to final installation. And they will require you to run a full scan before the installation process completes; which can take ages to complete.

A good antivirus program should take no more than 5 minutes to install.

4. Ease of Use

Using your antivirus software shouldn't be rocket science. Unfortunately, a few come close to that, like Symantec Norton Antivirus which has a complex layer of menus and tabs.

Your antivirus software should have all the features that experts are looking for, and beginners should be able to easily use them too.

And it should easily run itself without constantly tweaking and changing its features.

5. Updates

Make sure your antivirus keeps up-to-date with the latest threats.

It should update regularly and push updates to you as they are made available. It won't wait till the updates accumulate and end up being too large and slow down your computer during the process.

It will automatically update and protect your computer second by second.

Summary

Overall, finding the right antivirus software isn't difficult as long as you follow the right steps and stay clear of little known programs. There are many other tips to follow and you can find out from Best Buy Antivirus how to go about it.